You can receive Featurettes by e-mail daily, weekly or monthly by request. We can e-mail by your choice of topic or all stories as you may prefer. To make it even more convenient for editors to use our stories, NAPS has added an RSS syndication feed to our Web site. Simply hit the RSS button on our site for automated updates on available content. Please contact us to arrange to receive Featurettes in the format that works best for you at (800) 222-5551 or e-mail your request to us at printmedia@napsnet.com. We can provide Featurettes on CD-ROM or you can download it online at www.napsnet.com. Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2686 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 To Boost Your Health, Consider Your Glycemic Response (NAPSA)—While most people consider their weight, their blood pressure or their running time when they think about their health, one important parameter is often overlooked: their glycemic response. The glycemic response is used as a way to classify foods based on their potential to increase blood glucose (blood sugar), as the glycemic response is the measure of the impact of a particular food on blood sugar. Foods with faster rates of digestion and absorption of carbohydrates cause blood sugar levels to increase more quickly than those with lower glycemic response, when glucose is released slowly into blood. Scientists say how quickly you absorb carbohydrates after a meal, as shown by the glycemic response, has significant effects on insulin levels and overall health. Eating a lot of highglycemic foods may increase your risk for obesity, type-2 diabetes and heart disease. The World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (WHO/FAO) recommend that people in the United States and in other industrialized countries base their diets on low-glycemic foods to reduce the risk of many diseases. Foods with a lower glycemic response, such as polyols (also called sugar alcohols), can also be helpful to reduce one’s insulin response, thereby reducing one’s risk for diabetes. As the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences puts it: “More slowly absorbed starchy foods which are less processed, or have been processed in traditional ways, may have health advantages over those which are rapidly digested and absorbed...At a time when populations are increasingly Heatstroke vs. Stroke (NAPSA)—When the mercury soars, it’s wise to learn the signs of heatstroke and how they differ from those of stroke. iStock.com/arsenik How sweet it is: Certain carbohydrates can replace sugar and starch in many foods to help lower your glycemic response. obese, inactive and prone to insulin resistance, dietary interventions that reduce insulin demand may have advantages.” To help people lower the glycemic response of what they eat, there are low-calorie, sugar-free foods and beverages that are made with polyols, or sugar alcohols, a group of low-digestible carbohydrates that taste sweet but have special advantages. All polyols have a low glycemic response and can be used to completely or partially replace sugar and high-glycemic starches in a wide range of foods including dairy products, baked goods, chewing gum, candy, ice cream and fruit spreads. In addition, they function well in fillings and frostings, canned fruits, beverages and yogurt. This can reduce the overall glycemic load of the diet and thus reduce the risk of a variety of “lifestyle”-related diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. Learn More For further facts on polyols, go to http://polyol.org. Heatstroke can happen when you’re exercising outside on a very hot day or simply by getting overheated. Certain heart medications including beta-blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and diuretics, which deplete the body of sodium, can exaggerate the body’s response to heat. Symptoms of heatstroke include body temperature of 104 F or greater; lack of perspiration; hot, dry, flushed skin; nausea; vomiting; rapid, shallow breathing; headache; confusion; unconsciousness; muscle cramps or weakness; and strong, rapid pulse. “Heatstroke is life threatening. If you suspect someone is suffering from heatstroke, you should immediately try to cool him or her down and call 9-1-1,” advised Rani Whitfield, M.D. Stroke warning signs should also prompt a 9-1-1 call immediately. The American Stroke Association says remember F.A.S.T. for stroke: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 9-1-1. Additional signs can include sudden trouble seeing, dizziness, confusion, severe headache, or weakness on one side of the body. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit strokeassociation.org. Plan A Fall Foliage—Or Spring Flowers—Bike Tour (NAPSA)—While any time of year can be a good time for a bike trip, two of the best are spring and fall, when the highways and byways are both comfortable and colorful. Pointers On Planning Here are five hints to help you make the most of your twowheeled adventure: 1. Know before you go. Research your route online and in guidebooks. Note places to stay and places to see. 2. Get the best maps you can. Look for a scale of between 1:200,000 and 1:400,000 or purchase Map software for your smartphone or tablet. 3. Don’t plan on going too far or too fast. Factor in rest times, closed roads, bad weather and good detours. 4. Run the numbers. Decide in advance how many are traveling together. Small groups of, say, two to six people can be easier to manage. Larger groups can be a lot of fun and may be better for beginners. If you’re traveling alone, be sure someone else knows your route and timetable. 5. Be prepared. It’s a good idea to bring along a tire pump, tire gauge, spare tubes, a patch kit, helmet, sunglasses, a first-aid kit, gloves, rain gear, extra socks, cycling shorts, tights, long- and short-sleeved shirts, a knit hat, a bright yellow or orange vest, and shoes to wear when A bike tour can be a delightful way to see and savor the beauties of nature. you’re not riding, as well as whatever toiletries and amusements you usually need on a trip. Fortunately, packing it all can be simple with weatherproof bike bags, called panniers, that keep your valuables safe and easily accessible. One of the favorites is the Thule Pack ‘n Pedal line of products. These on-bike racks and panniers are easy to install and remove from a bike quickly and safely. There is even a handlebar accessory where a smartphone, headlamp or action sports camera can be mounted. Learn More For more products that can help to equip your bike for a ride, go to www.thule.com.